Northern Ireland: Teachers

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 13 January (Official Report, col. WA 74), whether the Northern Ireland Department of Education compiles statistical data on the religious background of teachers, in accordance with Article 71 of the Fair Employment and Treatment (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 (S.I 1998/3162).

Baroness Amos: Under the current fair employment and treatment legislation the monitoring provisions do not apply to or in relation to employment as a teacher in a school.
	The Department of Education in Northern Ireland does not hold statistical information on the religious breakdown of teachers employed in schools. The various employing authorities that are responsible for employing teachers hold this information. This information is not readily available and could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost.

Belfast: Ballyhackamore Library

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What range of services are provided directly or indirectly by the Ballyhackamore Library in Belfast; which organisations use the facilities; and whether there are any plans to close the library.

Baroness Amos: Ballyhackamore Library provides a full range of library lending facilities for adults and children including books, large print material, audio books and videos. The library also provides newspapers and magazines for consultation and a range of community information. Public computer facilities provide Internet access and access to the Northern Ireland library catalogue. In 2003–04 the library hosted 28 class visits from local schools and 43 children's storytimes. Photocopying facilities are also available.
	The following organisations use the library facilities:
	Schools
	Bloomfield Preparatory School
	Belmont Infants' Primary School
	Greenwood Infants' Primary School
	St Joseph's Primary School [Holland Dr]
	Strandtown Primary School
	Strathearn Preparatory School
	Cabin Hill School
	Nurseries
	St. Colmcilles' Pre-School Playgroup
	Wee Care
	Users of Meeting Room
	Monday Painters
	Weight Watchers
	ASSISI
	War on Want
	Greek Animal Welfare Society
	Ballyhackamore Reading Circle
	Sugarcraft Guild
	Ballyhackamore Village Trust
	Caring Canines
	Yoga
	Wandsworth Community Association
	The Belfast Education and Library Board has advised that it has no immediate plans to close libraries in its area.

Northern Ireland: Home Accident Prevention Strategy

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What was the cost to the Northern Ireland Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety of producing Home Accident Prevention Strategy & Action Plan 2004–2009; how many copies were printed; why laminated covers were used; and what has been the extent of the document's circulation.

Baroness Amos: The cost of producing the Home Accident Prevention Strategy and Action Plan document was £4,925. The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety had 10,000 copies of the document printed. A laminated finish was necessary to retain the quality of the document over the five-year period of the strategy. The printing of the document was one of the less expensive options available. A laminated finish was used on only one side and falls within departmental directions on quality levels for such a publication.
	To date almost 7,500 copies of the strategy and action plan have been distributed. The document has been circulated widely including to HSS boards and trusts, all community pharmacists, all GP practices, MLAs, government departments, the Fire Brigade, the Housing Executive, and various community and voluntary groups throughout Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland: Home Accident Prevention Strategy

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many civil service posts will be created as a result of establishing the multi-agency Home Accident Prevention Strategy Implementation Group, as proposed in Home Accident Prevention Strategy & Action Plan 2004–2009, section 3.6; whether the proposals have been costed; and how the initiative is to be funded.

Baroness Amos: No civil service posts will be created as a result of establishing a multi-agency implementation group to manage and take forward the action points set out in the Home Accident Prevention Strategy and Action Plan. The proposals were costed during the development stage of the strategy and it was agreed that any additional costs arising from implementation of the action points would be met from within individual department's existing baselines. The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety has agreed to commit £100,000 to implement the strategy and action plan in its first year with continued support over its five year lifespan.

Northern Ireland Department of Regional Development: Publications

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which documents have been published by the Northern Ireland Department of Regional Development under the scope of the Shaping our Future initiative; when they were published; what was the extent of their circulation; whether these documents are available online; and what was the cost of their publication in hard copy form.

Baroness Amos: The Department for Regional Development has published the following documents under the scope of the Shaping our Future initiative. They are available online and were circulated to public representatives, key interest groups and to the equality representative groups listed in the department's equality scheme.
	
		
			 Date Published Title PublicationCost £ 
			 November 1997 Discussion Paper 26,700 
			 December 1998 Family of Settlements 
			 Report 21,000 
			 December 1998 Complete Draft Strategy 29,300 
			 February 1999 Strategic Environmental 
			 Assessment Website only 
			 April 2000 Response of the Department for Regional Development to the Report of the Panel Conducting the Public Examination 12,900 
			 June 2001 Regional Transport 
			 Programme 2001–02 1,700 
			 September 2001 Shaping our Future the Regional Development Strategy (RDS) for Northern Ireland 2025 10,300 
			 July 2002 Regional Transport 
			 Programme 2002–03 1,700 
			 July 2002 Regional Transportation Strategy (RTS) for Northern Ireland 2002–12 34,700 
		
	
	
		
			 Date Published Title PublicationCost £* 
			 October 2002 Draft Planning Policy Statement 12 Housing in Settlements 8,200 
			 December 2002 Draft Planning Policy Statement 13 Transportation and Land Use 4,500 
			 July 2003 Annual Report on the Implementation and Monitoring of the RDS for Northern Ireland 8,100 
			 July 2003 Northern Ireland Retail Research—Final Report Study 1,400 
			 August 2003 Regional Transport Programme 2003–04 1,700 
			 October 2003 RTS Annual Monitoring Report 2002–03 5,900 
			 May 2004 Consultation on the Review of the Regional Housing Growth Indicators in the RDS Photocopied 
			 June 2004 Regional Transport Programme 2004–05 1,700 
			 June 2004 Consultation on Sustainable Development in the Countryside Photocopied 
			 July 2004 RDS for Northern Ireland Annual Report 800 
			 July 2004 RDS for Northern Ireland Monitoring Report Website only 
			 September 2004 RTS Annual Monitoring Report 2003–04 1,700 
			 November 2004 Belfast Metropolitan Transport Plan 22,500 
			 December 2004 The Implementation of the RDS for Northern Ireland Monitoring Report Website only 
			 December 2004 The Implementation of the RDS for Northern Ireland 3rd Annual Report 1,600 
			 January 2005 Review of the Regional Housing Growth Indicators in the RDS 14,900 
		
	
	* rounded to nearest £100

Northern Ireland: Comber High School

Lord Kilclooney: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What proposals they have for the future development of Comber High School; what is the timetable for any development; what is the budget for any developments; and whether any contract has been let.

Baroness Amos: In March 2001, the then Minister for Education, Martin McGuinness, announced a replacement school for Comber High School as part of a public/private partnership (PPP) cluster with Bangor Academy and Sixth Form College.
	I understand from the chief executive of the South Eastern Education and Library Board that Hochtief was nominated as preferred bidder for this project on 27 January 2005.
	Negotiations are ongoing with Hochtief with a view to signing a contract at the end of April 2005. If that target date is achieved the new school in Comber should be opened in September 2006.
	The capital value of the PPP project as a whole is £32 million with Comber High School representing £9.5 million.

EU Market: Access

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they expect that developing countries will benefit substantially from the new Generalised System of Preferences Draft Regulations announced in October 2004 for enhanced preferential access to European Union markets.

Baroness Amos: One of the UK's key objectives for renegotiation of the generalised system of preferences (GSP) scheme is to increase the development gains to beneficiary countries of increased trade with the EU, within the context of trade liberalisation through the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
	HMG's initial analysis of the proposal is set out in the Explanatory Memorandum 13931/04 COM(04)699 final.
	Full implementation of the draft regulation in its current form will remove preferences for those countries competitive across a number of custom chapters (graduation). It will also extend the product coverage of the GSP scheme to include agricultural and fishery products and remove those countries that enjoy equal preferential access to the EU market under the terms of a free trade agreement (FTA). The special incentive arrangement will provide duty free access to "vulnerable" countries which have satisfied a range of criteria, including the ratification of 23 international conventions. Ratification of all 27 conventions will be required by 31 December 2008.
	The changes relating to graduation will result in winners and losers; in the period up to 2008 there will be significantly more winners, including three of the countries most affected by the Tsunami—India, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Indonesia.
	Negotiations on the draft regulation are ongoing. The UK will continue to work to ensure the groupings and criteria for GSP exclusion and withdrawal take into account developmental needs of beneficiaries.

GM Crops

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have awarded money in any form to the firm Syngenta, or any collaboration involving Syngenta, to develop genetically modified crops in Andhra, India; and if so, how much.

Baroness Amos: Her Majesty's Government, specifically the Department for International Development (DfID), is not funding or promoting the introduction of genetically modified crops in Andhra Pradesh or elsewhere in India. DfID does not collaborate with Syngenta to develop genetically modified crops in Andhra Pradesh. DfID does support work to develop traditional crop varieties and farming practices in drought prone areas of Andhra Pradesh.
	DfID's policy on GM technologies is that they have the potential to provide significant benefits for poor farmers, if applied safely and responsibly to the crops they rely on. Developing countries need to make their own informed choices about adoption of GM technologies, and build the capacity to manage their safe development and use.

Joint Committee on Security

Lord Berkeley: asked the Chairman of Committees:
	Further to his Answer on 21 February, whether he will clarify the Lords' membership of the Joint Committee on Security.

Lord Brabazon of Tara: I regret that, during the debate on the Starred Question asked by the Lord Campbell-Savours on 21 February, the information I gave regarding the membership of the Joint Committee on Security was incomplete. There are in fact six Lords' members of the Committee, who are: Lord Cope of Berkeley; Lord Davies of Oldham; Lord Hunt of Wirral; Lord Peston; Lord Roper; and Lord Williamson of Horton.

Racial Hatred Offences: Prosecutions

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answers by the Attorney-General on 31 January (Official Report, col. WA 4–5), whether any of the prosecutions or potential prosecutions for offences under Part III of the Public Order Act 1986 involved conduct which was, or might have been, motivated by reference to a person's religion; if so, what were the relevant circumstances; and what were the outcomes of those cases.

Lord Goldsmith: It is not possible to provide the requested information as the prosecution statistics on incitement to racial hatred do not record information of this nature.
	All previous prosecutions and potential prosecutions were considered against the requirements of the incitement to racial hatred offences, including whether there was an intention to stir up racial hatred or whether racial hatred was likely to be stirred up. As incitement to religious hatred is not currently an offence, and has not been in the past, those cases were not considered by reference to whether they involved conduct which was, or might have been, motivated by reference to a person's religion.

Tampere European Council 1999: Conclusions

Lord Stoddart of Swindon: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean on 17 January (WA 85–86) concerning the establishment of agencies of the European Union, which treaty articles provide for the accountability of those agencies; and when each agency was created.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Listed below are the dates of creation and the treaty articles which provide for the accountability of the European Union Monitoring Centre for Racism and Xenophobia (EUMC), the European Police College (CEPOL), the European Railway Agency (ERA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
	EUMC
	The EUMC was established under Council Regulation (EC) 1035/97 on 2 June 1997 and commenced its activities in 1998. The legal base is Article 284 and 308 TEC (formerly Articles 213 and 235).
	CEPOL
	CEPOL was established by Council Decision (2000/820/JHA) on 22 December 2000. This decision has regard to Articles 30(1)(c) and 34(2)(c) of the Treaty on European Union. On 13 December 2003, the European Council decided that CEPOL should locate its permanent secretariat in Bramshill, UK.
	ERA
	The ERA officially started work on 15 July 2004 although it is not yet fully functioning. The agency operates under Council Regulation (EC) 881/2004 of 29 April 2004 referring also to Directive 2004/49/EC (safety directive) and Directive 2004/50/EC (interoperability). The legal base for Regulation 881/2004 is Article 71(1) TEC.
	EASA
	The EASA started work on 28 September 2003. The EASA operates under Council Regulation (EC) 1592/2002 of 15 July 2002. The legal base is Article 80(2) TEC.

Cyprus: Annan Plan

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean on 1 February (WA 29–30), what are the complex issues concerning direct flights to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which have, to date, been examined by government lawyers; and when they expect an outcome.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The complex issues referred to result from the need to reconcile the rights and responsibilities of states under the international law of civil aviation with the unique situation in Cyprus. The Republic of Cyprus opposes direct flights to the northern part of the island. Our policy in this area is to help pave the way for reunification of the island, including by reducing the economic disparities between the two communities. We are unable to predict the timing of an outcome.

Kazakhstan: British Embassy

Lord Kilclooney: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What progress has been made to establish an embassy in Astana, Kazakhstan; whether sites for this embassy have been identified; whether the authorities in Astana have extended support for such an embassy; and whether the decision is dependent upon co-operation from other European Union member states.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: A suitable location in Astana has been identified for the move of the British Embassy in Kazakhstan during the next financial year.
	The Kazakh authorities have been very helpful in identifying possible sites for a British long-term presence in Astana.
	We continue to discuss the matter closely with other European Union members, but the decision to establish an embassy in Astana is not dependent upon their co-operation.

Iraq: "Interim Government Statistics"

Lord Garden: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will place in the Library of the House copies of the source documents provided by the Iraqi interim government which refer specifically to:
	(a) the deaths of 516 Iraqis as cited by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr Bill Rammell), in his Written Answer on 8 December 2004 (HC Deb, 604W); and
	(b) the deaths of 1,295 Iraqis, as cited by the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean on 24 January (WA 129).

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The Iraqi Ministry of Health gave the figures referred to, to a UK official in Baghdad after they had been published in the Arabic media. There was no official source documentation provided.

Iraq: "Interim Government Statistics"

Lord Garden: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the definitions of categories of causes in the two sets of figures for Iraqi casualties for 16 June to 10 September 2004 of:
	(a) 516 Iraqis killed and 2,016 injured directly as a result of attacks by the terrorists and insurgents; and
	(b) 1,295 Iraqis killed and 5,479 injured as a result of military action; and
	Whether the Iraqi Ministry of Health's casualty figures contain separate attributions for the number of Iraqis killed or injured directly as a result of actions by multinational forces, Iraqi security forces and terrorists or insurgents; whether the figures distinguish between the deaths and injuries of combatants and non-combatants; and, if so, how they apply to figures released to date.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The Iraqi Ministry of Health (MoH) released a statement on 28 January. It explained that in its figures, collated from some 180 hospitals:
	"Casualties of car bombs and other clearly identifiable terrorist attacks are recorded as being caused by terrorist incidents. All other casualties are recorded as military action. The casualties may include insurgents, civilians as well as Iraqi police who are treated in MoH hospitals. The casualties may have been killed or injured by terrorist or coalition forces. Coalition forces include Iraqi police, Iraqi security forces, and the multinational forces"

Afghanistan and Iraq: Criminal Justice Systems

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In what ways they and their allies are working to restore the criminal justice systems of Afghanistan and Iraq; and what categories of crime can be referred to the International Criminal Court from each of these countries.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The UK has provided £2 million to support capacity building in and modernisation of the Afghan Ministry of Justice under the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Justice Sector Reform Programme. We have helped establish policy and communication units to make key decisions on justice issues and to co-ordinate activities between the Ministry of Justice and provincial authorities. The construction and refurbishment of provincial and district court buildings is well under way.
	As part of the UK's long-term support for the Afghan National Drug Control Strategy, we are providing £1.1 million over two years to a United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) project to enhance the ability of the criminal justice system quickly to deal with counter-narcotics cases. We are co-ordinating closely with Italy, which has the international lead on criminal justice reform in Afghanistan, the US, Norway and other international partners.
	This work includes the training and mentoring of a criminal justice task force of up to 77 investigators, prosecutors and judges, which will work towards convictions of medium value traffickers by the end of the year. While working with the Afghans and the US on an interim detention facility, the UNODC project will result in a secure court and prison facility, on which an Her Majesty's Prison Service adviser has made recommendations. We are also doing additional work with Italy and other partners to strengthen the counter-narcotics law and the criminal procedural code.
	Afghanistan is a party to the Statute of the International Criminal Court. Therefore the court may exercise jurisdiction with respect to war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide committed there after 1 May 2003 when the statute entered into force for Afghanistan or after 1 July 2002 if Afghanistan were to make an appropriate declaration.
	We are helping the Iraqi Government to rebuild their legal infrastructure by providing training in a number of areas. The Department for International Development is providing over £2 million to train judges, prosecutors and lawyers to increase independence, professionalism and respect for human rights and to support the strengthening of the Iraqi Bar Association. We are also providing training for the judges and prosecutors in the Iraqi Special Tribunal (IST) which is part of the Iraqi criminal justice system. The IST was established to try members of the former regime accused of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and certain other serious crimes under existing Iraqi law including: the manipulation of the judiciary; squandering public resources; and the threat or use of force against other Arab States. The UK has also been providing support to improve prison standards in the south of Iraq.
	Iraq is not a party to the Statute of the International Criminal Court. Therefore the court can only exercise jurisdiction with respect to such crimes committed there if they were committed by a national of a state party, if Iraq were to make an appropriate declaration or if there were a referral by the Security Council.

Small Arms Transfers: UN Members

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action they are taking to ensure that member states of the United Nations expedite and conclude negotiations on legally binding agreements covering the marking, tracing, brokering and transfer of small arms and light weapons.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Working with other United Nations (UN) member states to reduce illicit movements of small arms and light weapons (SALW) is a high priority for the Government. We have allocated £13.25 million between 2004–07 to support programmes aimed at achieving this. The UK is an active participant in the open-ended working group on marking and tracing of SALW, and, along with European Union member states, we continue to push for a legally binding instrument that includes SALW ammunition. We recognise that brokering is another area where tighter controls are needed and fully support the establishment, no later than 2007, of a UN group of government experts to consider this important issue in depth.
	One of our SALW priorities is promoting the Transfer Control Initiative, which aims at agreement on common international standards governing small arms transfers at the UN Programme of Action Review Conference on Small Arms in 2006. The UK is supporting this initiative by organising sub-regional workshops and bilateral meetings, which we hope will lead to common agreement on responsibility in SALW transfers.

UN Register of Conventional Arms

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action they are taking to ensure that all member states of the United Nations report fully and accurately on all matters covered by the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, and that the Secretary-General reports annually to the General Assembly and the Security Council on any inadequacies in such reporting.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The United Kingdom has supported the operation and development of the United Nations Register on Conventional Arms since its establishment in 1992. The Government have reported every year on all seven categories of major equipment covered by the register and have provided additional background information.
	The UK encourages member states to participate in the register. We have supported the work of the United Nations Department for Disarmament Affairs (UN DDA) by participating and funding regional workshops which explain the register's operation. Through the formal periodic reviews of the register, we have been at the forefront of efforts to expand the register's scope, and have proposed recommendations to encourage reporting and participation.
	Member states are themselves responsible for the accuracy and timeliness of their reports. We have supported the UN DDA in its ability to verify the accuracy of information provided, but we recognise that participation in the register is voluntary and the scope of information provided is a national prerogative.
	The UK also co-sponsors the annual UN General Assembly resolution that underpins the register's operation by inviting all states to participate.

UN Special Representatives: Training

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action they are taking to ensure that the United Nations establishes a briefing and training facility for new and potential special representatives of the Secretary-General and any United Nations mediators.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The UK has welcomed the high level panel's attention on the crucial issue of improving the quality of mission leadership, including special representatives and mediators. The UK believes there is a need for more effective and transparent selection processes for United Nations (UN) senior mission leaders, better training once leaders have been appointed, and a UN leadership development programme for the leaders of the future.
	The UK has already supported the development of leadership training for UN peacekeeping missions and is actively pursuing consideration of the proposals in the high-level panel report in conjunction with the UN and other partners.

UN Department of Political Affairs: Restructuring

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action they are taking to ensure that additional and adequate resources are provided to an appropriately restructured Department of Political Affairs in the United Nations in order to provide more consistent and professional mediatory support.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The UK has welcomed the publication of the report of the high-level panel on threats, challenges and change, which makes this recommendation.
	Restructuring of the Department of Political Affairs, particularly to provide professional mediatory support, is important as part of an overall programme of reform of the United Nations. As the panel report makes clear, details of such a restructuring should be left to the United Nations Secretary-General, but we have consistently supported his efforts since his appointment to improve the Secretariat. We look forward to his follow up report in March, when we will be able to assess the budgetary implications and whether these are cost-effective.

UN: Conflict Resolution

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action they are taking to encourage greater consultation by United Nations personnel with national mediators, regional organisations, non-governmental organisations and civil society as a whole, not least women, in conflict resolution and other peace processes.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The Government give firm support to United Nations (UN) conflict resolution and peacebuilding. In doing so, we encourage the UN to engage with a broad range of actors.
	We have prompted and supported UN co-operation with regional organisations, particularly in Africa. In Liberia and Cote d'Ivoire, Economic Community of West African States peacekeeping troops have deployed in support of UN efforts. The UN and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development worked closely together in the Naivasha peace process which culminated in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Sudan on 9 January 2005. We are supporting the UN in the development of its relations with the African Union (AU) and welcome the latter's co-operation with the UN's special political mission in Darfur.
	We have used the joint Foreign and Commonwealth Office/Department for International Development (DfID)/Ministry of Defence Global Conflict Prevention Pool to support a range of projects that strengthen the UN's capacity to anticipate, analyse and address the causes of conflict. Many of these projects have been taken forward in collaboration with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) such as the International Centre for Transitional Justice, the International Peace Academy and the Conflict Prevention and Peace Forum.
	We have been active in encouraging the UN to ensure that it takes account of gender and other human rights aspects in its conflict work. The UK has promoted the expansion of mandates for all current UN peace support operations to authorise the deployment of specialist staff or advisers to deal with all issues of conflict resolution including gender, the special needs of children and human rights. DfID has provided £96,000 to the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations to develop a training manual on gender related issues in most aspects of peacekeeping, such as political and civil affairs and strategies in effective gender mainstreaming.
	The Global Conflict Prevention Pool has financed several initiatives in support of implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. These include, for example, supporting the UN's Development Fund for Women in its efforts to gather information on women's peace-building and gender justice initiatives, and also work with the Urgent Action Fund for Women's Human Rights, an NGO that supports grass-roots activities in countries where there are multinational peacekeeping operations. More detail of how the UK has supported implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 is contained in our response to the UN Security Council in May 2004, which can be found on the following website: www.un.org/womenwatch/osagi/responsesl1325/UK–E.pdf
	Looking forward, my right honourable friend the Prime Minister has welcomed the report of the UN Secretary-General's high-level panel, published on 2 December 2004, which makes a wide range of recommendations aimed at improving the international response to threats to global peace and security. The Government will be giving the UN Secretary-General firm support in taking this agenda forward, in particular the establishment of a UN Peacebuilding Commission to ensure proper co-ordination and sequencing of peacebuilding activities, including issues of local consultation.

Croatia: EU Membership

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they are confident that Croatia will meet the necessary conditions for membership of the European Union; and whether they are confident that membership talks will start on 17 March, as decided by the European Council in December 2004.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The UK fully supports Croatia's European Union aspirations and would like to see negotiations open on 17 March envisaged in the European Council conclusions in December 2004. However, the conclusions made explicit reference to the need for full co-operation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in order for negotiations to begin. The most recent assessment delivered by the Chief Prosecutor of the ICTY on 23 November assessed that co-operation could not be considered full until the indicted war criminal, Ante Gotovina, is located and transferred to The Hague. Croatia must therefore take all necessary steps before 17 March to ensure the opening of accession negotiations.

Croatia: EU Membership

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether full co-operation with the International War Crimes Tribunal remains the main condition that must be fulfilled before negotiations between the European Union and Croatia can begin.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: In December 2004, the European Council agreed that accession negotiations could begin, "provided that Croatia was fully co-operating with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY)". It is therefore incumbent upon the Government of Croatia to take all possible measures to ensure that Ante Gotovina is located and transferred to The Hague. This will remove any remaining obstacles to the opening of accession negotiations.

Croatia: EU Membership

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What recent representations they have received from the main prosecutor of the International War Crimes Tribunal concerning Croatia's co-operation with the tribunal.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The UK Government maintain regular contact with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and with the Office of the Prosecutor in the course of fulfilling our own responsibilities under a Chapter VII Security Council Resolution (UNSCR 827 passed on 25 May 1993), to provide full support to the work of the tribunal. As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, we have heard the Chief Prosecutor's report of 23 November 2004, in which she assessed that "it was of paramount importance for the completion strategy and for the overall achievements of ICTY that Ante Gotovina be brought to justice in The Hague. As soon as Gotovina will be in The Hague, it will be possible to say that, indeed, Croatia is co-operating fully with the tribunal".

Croatia: EU Membership

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What recent discussions they have had with other European Union member states regarding Croatia's co-operation with the International War Crimes Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The UK Government maintain a regular dialogue with our European Union partners, both in the course of the General Affairs and External Relations Council and other official level meetings in Brussels, and in bilateral contacts in London and overseas. This includes our concerns about Croatia's lack of full co-operation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). The Government welcome the recent statements by ministers from France and Germany stressing the need for Croatia to co-operate fully with the ICTY prior to opening European Union accession talks.

Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty: UK Compliance

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action they are taking together with other nuclear weapon states to honour their commitments under Article VI of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons to move towards disarmament and to undertake specific measures to fulfil those commitments.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The UK is committed to all its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), including under Article VI, and has a very good record on disarmament. We have reduced the total explosive power of our nuclear forces by over 70 per cent since the end of the Cold War and have a stockpile of less than 200 operationally available warheads. Only one Trident submarine is on deterrent patrol at any time. It is normally on several days notice to fire and its missiles are not targeted at any other state.
	The Conference on Disarmament (CD) based at the United Nations in Geneva, is the designated permanent multilateral disarmament negotiating forum of the international community. The priorities for nuclear disarmament were agreed at the 2000 NPT Review Conference: the negotiation of a fissile material cut-off treaty at the CD, which the UK actively supports, and signature and ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty, which the UK ratified in 1998. We have also been conducting studies into the verification of nuclear disarmament and intend to publish a report on these studies as well as statements detailing progress on all the articles of the NPT at the NPT Review Conference in May.

Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty: UK Compliance

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What arrangements they are making to reaffirm their previous commitments not to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon states.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The United Kingdom stands by the security assurances given to non-nuclear weapon states in our letter of 6 April 1995 to the Secretary-General of the United Nations and noted in Security Council Resolution 984 of that year. We reaffirmed these commitments at the Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in 2000 and intend to do so again at the review conference to be held in May 2005. The UK also stands by the security assurances we have given in the protocols we have ratified to nuclear weapon-free zone treaties.

Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty: UK Compliance

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action they are taking together with the United States, the Russian Federation, and other states to ensure that practical arrangements are in place to reduce the risk of accidental war, including a schedule for de-alerting their strategic nuclear weapons.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The UK has implemented a range of significant de-alerting measures. As announced in the 1998 Strategic Defence Review only one Trident submarine is on patrol at any one time, carrying a reduced load of 48 warheads and with a reduced state of alert. The submarine's missiles are not targeted and it will normally be at several days "notice to fire". A variety of procedural and technical means ensure that it is impossible for a single person to initiate the launch sequence for a UK nuclear weapon.
	In their joint statement at the 2000 Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the five recognised nuclear weapon states declared that none of their nuclear weapons is targeted at any state.

Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty: UK Compliance

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action they are taking to promote a pledge by the United Nations Security Council to take collective action in response to a nuclear attack or threat of nuclear attack on a non-nuclear weapon state.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The United Kingdom stands by the security assurances in our letter of 6 April 1995 to the Secretary-General of the United Nations and noted in Security Council Resolution 984 of that year. This reaffirmed the UK's intention, as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, to seek immediate Security Council action to provide assistance to non-nuclear weapon states party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty that are victims of an act of aggression or an object of a threat of aggression in which nuclear weapons are used. The United Kingdom would also be prepared to take appropriate measures in response to a request from the victim for technical, medical, scientific or humanitarian assistance. We reaffirmed these commitments at the Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in 2000 and intend to do so again at the review conference to be held in May 2005.

Chemical Weapon Stockpiles: Destruction

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action they are taking to ensure that all chemical weapon states expedite the destruction of all existing chemical weapons stockpiles by the agreed target date of 2012.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The Government support this recommendation from the recent United Nations high-level panel report and regularly urge all chemical weapons possessor states to meet their chemical weapons convention obligations. We are committed to providing practical assistance to help states meet and better the 2012 deadline. For example, we continue to provide assistance towards Russia's destruction programme, in particular at the Shchuch'ye chemical weapon destruction facility.

Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action they are taking to ensure that states parties to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention return to negotiations for a credible verification protocol and that the biotechnology industry actively participates in those negotiations.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The Government continue to believe that the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention would be strengthened by verification measures, as recommended in the recent United Nations high-level panel report. We will continue to work closely with states party, including in preparation for the 2006 review conference, to strengthen the convention in ways that can be collectively supported.

Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action they are taking to ensure that states parties to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention negotiate a new bio-security protocol to classify dangerous biological agents and to establish binding international standards for the export of such agents.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The Government are ready to consider this recommendation of the recent United Nations high-level panel report positively. But we will need to consider, with our international partners, how it fits with current obligations under the Australia Group export control regime.

Iran

Lord Roberts of Conwy: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will publish the evidence on which the Prime Minister based his Statement to the House of Commons Liaison Committee on 8 February that Iran is a sponsor of terrorism.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Our concern about Iran's explicit support for violent groups undermining peace in the Middle East are longstanding. We have no plans to publish confidential assessments. We have pressed the Iranian authorities on this subject on many occasions. My right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary did so when he met the Secretary-General of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Dr Hassan Rouhani on 13 December.

Anguilla: Sombrero Island Lighthouse

Lord MacKenzie of Culkein: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether full responsibility for Sombrero Island lighthouse, Anguilla, has been transferred to the Anguillan Government; and, if so, when responsibility was transferred.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: An agreement transferring full responsibility for Sombrero Island lighthouse to the Government of Anguilla was signed by the UK on 21 August 2000 and by the Government of Anguilla on 2 November 2000. The agreement came into effect on 1 December 2001.

EU Single Market

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What measures concerning services, commerce and other economic activities they will propose in order to achieve their aim of "completing the single market", as set out in paragraph 27 of the White Paper Prospects for the EU in 2005 (Cmnd 6450).

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Extending the benefits of the single market to more UK business and consumers is a government priority. We will be working in partnership with Mr Barroso's commission, which is committed to a reform agenda that focuses on "stronger, lasting growth and . . . more and better jobs" (Commission Spring Report, launched on 2 February www.europa.eu.int/growthandjobs). In collaboration with our European Union partners, the Government would like to see further widening and deepening of the single market, through full implementation of existing liberalisation measures, as well as new initiatives such as the directive on services. The Government will also press for more regulatory reform to lift unnecessary burdens on business and a proactive competition policy that increases market access, while reducing distortive state aids.

Iraq: Casualty Estimates

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why they have decided not to publish a report on Iraqi civilian casualties, contrary to their previous undertaking in November 2004.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: I outlined our assessment of Iraqi civilian casualties in my Written Statement of 17 November 2004 (Official Report, cols. WS 61–WS 64).

Israel: Palestinian Prisoners

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they plan to discuss with the Israeli Government the release of Palestinian detainees, especially those subject to lengthy periods of incarceration, following the ceasefire announced on 8 February.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: As part of our on-going discussions with the Israeli Government, we have already discussed with them the release of Palestinian prisoners.
	We will continue to follow this issue closely, and discuss it, and other issues discussed on 8 February, with the Government of Israel.

Nuclear Energy: Fissile Material

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action they are taking to expedite and conclude negotiations to establish an arrangement based on Articles III and IX of the International Atomic Energy Association (IAEA) statute to enable the IAEA to act as guarantor for the supply of fissile material to civilian nuclear users.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: My right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary's Statement to the House on 25 February 2004 (Official Report, cols. WS 48–49) outlined the UK's current thinking on fissile material supply. He proposed that states not in compliance with their International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards obligations, while retaining the right to a civil nuclear programme, might forfeit their right to develop the nuclear fuel cycle. Countries honouring their safeguards obligations could supply fissile material for such programmes under IAEA monitoring while in the receiving country, and reclaim spent fuel after use.
	The UK is playing a full role in IAEA Director General Dr El Baradei's expert group. It is expected that the group will report shortly, and we look forward to studying its contents.

Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action they are taking to expedite negotiations in the Conference on Disarmament of a Verifiable Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty which would, on a designated schedule, end the production of highly enriched uranium for all purposes.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The United Kingdom has been active since 1993 in efforts to begin negotiations at the Conference on Disarmament on a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT) that would ban the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other explosive devices, but progress has been prevented by linkages with other issues and, more recently, discussions on whether an FMCT could be verified. We would prefer to see a verifiable FMCT, but we have been encouraging the commencement of negotiations, without preconditions, to prevent further delay.
	We ceased production of fissile material for defence purposes in 1995 and have placed fissile material not for defence purposes under international safeguards.

Nuclear and Chemical Weapons

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action they are taking to ensure that the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Association and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons are required to report twice yearly to the United Nations Security Council on the status of safeguards and verification processes and on any concerns they may have of falling short of a breach of the Treaty of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the Chemical Weapons Convention.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The Government support measures that would encourage a deeper relationship between the United Nations Security Council and both the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the International Atomic Energy Agency including for the respective directors general to brief the Security Council within the remit of their own organisations. It is for the Security Council to decide how to manage its agenda.

UN Convention on Terrorism

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action they are taking to expedite the successful conclusion of negotiations by the General Assembly of the United Nations to produce a comprehensive convention on terrorism with all the elements listed by the high-level panel on threats, challenges, and change, and explicitly covering all forms of terrorism, including state terrorism.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The UK shares with other governments the objective of concluding a comprehensive convention on terrorism. We have been working to secure such a convention for many years. The draft convention is well developed with very few articles still outstanding. The first opportunity to move forward will come at the March meeting of the committee charged with developing these drafts. In preparation for this, we are engaging informally with partners to discuss how we can use the added momentum provided by the panel to break the deadlock.

Iraq: Oil for Food programme

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they consider the abuse of the oil for food programme in Iraq to have contributed to Saddam Hussein's defiance of United Nations resolutions and to the need for the United States and the United Kingdom to take military action in Iraq.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Saddam Hussein's attempts to subvert the United Nations oil for food programme inevitably helped to bolster his regime. It is difficult to quantify how far this contributed to his defiance of United Nations resolutions.

Middle East: Missing Persons

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the scope of Mr Benon V Sevan's role as special envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General for issues related to missing persons in the Middle East; and whether those duties extend to the disappeared from both the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot communities during the 1974 coup against Archbishop Makarios by EOKA-B terrorists.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: We have been unable to establish what the scope of Mr Sevan's role is. His appointment in 1992 as special envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General for issues related to missing persons in the Middle East was a personal appointment by the then Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali.
	We are not aware that Mr Sevan's duties extended to the disappeared from the Turkish Cypriot or Greek Cypriot communities during the 1974 coup.

Diplomatic Representation: British Embassy in Paraguay

Baroness Hooper: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are their reasons for the closure of the British Embassy in Asuncion, Paraguay.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: As I made clear in my Written Statement on 15 December (Official Report, cols. WS 84–88), the decision to close the British Embassy in Asuncion forms a part of a global reorganisation involving changes in a number of embassies and offices in different countries throughout the world. These changes reflect changing demands and challenges, and the need better to align our resources with our priorities, to maximise efficiency, and to ensure that the UK has a cost-effective and flexible network of overseas representation.
	The decision in no way reflects on the quality of our bilateral relations. As we have made clear to the Paraguayan Government, we value the excellent relations we have with them and see no reason why that relationship should not be maintained when we establish coverage from our embassy in Buenos Aires.

Drug Treatment

Lord Adebowale: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many people on drug treatment and testing orders (DTTOs) in England and Wales have received crack cocaine treatment for each year for which figures are available; and what targets they have set for the years 2005–06 and 2006–07 for the number of people on DTTOs to receive crack cocaine treatment in England and Wales; and
	How many people on drug treatment and testing orders (DTTOs) in England and Wales have received heroin treatment for each year for which figures are available; and what targets they have set for the years 2005–06 and 2006–07 for the number of people on DTTOs to receive heroin treatment in England and Wales; and
	How many people on drug treatment and testing orders (DTTOs) in England and Wales have received treatment for combined crack cocaine and heroin dependency for each year for which figures are available; and what targets they have set for the years 2005–06 and 2006–07 for the number of people on DTTOs to receive treatment for combined crack cocaine and heroin dependency in England and Wales.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Information relating to the number of people on drug treatment and testing orders (DTTOs) in England and Wales who have received crack cocaine treatment is not available centrally and could only be collected at disproportionate cost. However, data received from probation areas, as part of the National Crack Action Plan, showed that there were 693 primary crack users resident in 38 drug action team areas designated as high crack areas (HCAs) who started a DTTO in 2003–04.
	From April 2005 the DTTO will gradually be replaced by the drug rehabilitation requirement (DRR) of the new community order, which is being introduced by the Criminal Justice Act 2003. Targets for 2005–06 in relation to the delivery of DTTOs and DRRs have not yet been finalised.

Home Secretary: Security Arrangements

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much money the security work to be undertaken on the private residences of the Home Secretary will cost.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Home Office does not comment on specific security arrangements for individuals.

Asylum Seekers: Unfounded Claims

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What assessment they have made of the success of their policies of deterring unqualified asylum seekers by juxtaposed controls, visa regimes, the Eurodac computer system and other means; and why these measures have not resulted in an increase in the proportion of successful applications.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The policies that are currently being undertaken by the Government to deter unfounded asylum claims are subject to continuous and ongoing review. The success of these policies is demonstrated by the 65 per cent fall in the detection of clandestine entrants in Kent in 2003 compared to 2002, which has been followed by a further 23 per cent fall in the first half of 2004, and the 61 per cent fall in asylum applications in the third quarter of 2004 compared to the same period of 2002.
	The proportion of cases that are granted and refused in any particular period is determined by the case mix (i.e. the balance between new and older cases, and the different nationalities).
	Each asylum claim is considered on its individual merits, taking into account the evidence submitted by the applicant, the information obtained at his or her substantive asylum interview and the available country information.
	There is no inevitable relationship between the number of unsuccessful applicants and the number of successful ones.

Terrorism Act 2000

Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many arrests have been made since 11 September 2001 under anti-terrorism legislation; and how many of those arrested have been from ethnic minorities; and
	How many people arrested under anti-terrorism legislation since 11 September 2001 were subsequently charged with terrorism offences; and
	How many people charged with terrorism offences under anti-terrorism legislation since 11 September 2001 have been tried and convicted.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Statistics provided to the Home Office by the police on arrests and charges from 11 September 2001 until 31 December 2004 under the Terrorism Act 2000 are on the Home Office website at www.homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk/terrorism. (These are compiled from recent police records and are therefore subject to change as cases go through the system.)
	Key Facts and Statistics
	Police records show that from 11 September 2001 until 31 December 2004, 701 people were arrested under the Terrorism Act 2000.
	Charges
	119 of these were charged under the Act. Of these, 45 were also charged with offences under other legislation. 135 were charged under other legislation. This includes charges for terrorist offences that are already covered in general criminal law such as murder, grievous bodily harm and use of firearms or explosives.
	Convictions
	17 individuals have been convicted of offences under the Terrorism Act.
	Other Information
	The following table gives the outcome for those not covered above:
	
		
			 Outcome  
			 Transferred to Immigration Authorities 59 
			 On Bail to Return 22 
			 Cautioned 7 
			 Dealt with under Mental Health Legislation 7 
			 Awaiting Extradition 1 
			 Returned to Prison Service Custody 1 
			 Released Without Charge 351 
		
	
	More detailed information is not held by the Home Office.

EU: Asylum and Immigration Procedures

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will review the United Kingdom reserve on participation in European Union asylum and immigration procedures.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Government's position remains unchanged since we negotiated our Title IV and Frontiers Protocols at Amsterdam in 1997. Under the former, the UK retains the right to opt-in to EU immigration and asylum measures. Where measures are in our interest, we will opt-in and are bound by the measure. Where they do not benefit the UK we do not participate. We have successfully used our opt-in for over five years, and we will continue to do so. We will also maintain our right, under the Frontiers Protocol, to operate immigration controls at our borders.
	Immigration and asylum are international issues demanding international solutions. Co-operation with EU partners can help to deliver our domestic objectives of tackling abuse of the asylum system and combating illegal immigration.

Airlines: E-borders Pilot Project

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	At which ports the e-borders pilot project, Project Semaphore, is already in operation; which ports do not yet have it; and in what year the e-borders system is expected to be in operation in those ports.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: E-borders is initially being trialled as Project Semaphore. Under Project Semaphore, carriers provide passenger information on certain flights operating into the UK in advance of arrival. This information is received by the Joint Border Operations Centre (JBOC) where it is then processed, with alerts being provided to government agencies as appropriate.
	The routes chosen for Semaphore were selected by multi-agency consensus and operate into Heathrow, Gatwick, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow airports. Currently the JBOC is receiving passenger information on specific flights that arrive at Heathrow Airport. Passenger information on specific flights arriving at Birmingham, Manchester and Gatwick airports is expected to be available by the end of April 2005. The full e-borders system is expected to process passenger information on flights arriving in and departing from the UK at all major ports by 2010.

Iraq: Service Personnel Accommodation

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many of the United Kingdom's Armed Forces at present in Iraq are in tented accommodation; how many are in other temporary accommodation; and how many are in permanent accommodation.

Lord Bach: We have 12 tented camps in Iraq, which house up to 5,250 personnel. We also have nine hard-walled accommodation camps, which house up to 4,375 personnel in more permanent accommodation. Some personnel are also accommodated in existing buildings. The actual numbers of personnel housed in each type of accommodation fluctuates according to operational demands and is not held centrally.

Iraq: Service Personnel Hospitalisation

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many British service personnel deployed in Iraq have been hospitalised in consequence of hostile action, accidents or other incidents since the conflict started in March 2003; and how many of them for more than one month, three months and six months.

Lord Bach: Records are not held centrally regarding the numbers of British service personnel hospitalised as a consequence of hostile action, accidents or other incidents since the start of conflict in Iraq in March 2003. As a result, we are also unable to detail how long such personnel were hospitalised for. However, our records do show that as at 29 January, the United Kingdom has conducted 2,915 medical evacuations from Iraq since February 2003. This includes a small number of entitled civilians and Iraqis.
	Figures are also available for personnel who have been admitted to Selly Oak hospital in Birmingham, which treats the majority of those who are medically evacuated and hospitalised in the UK. As of 20 January 2005, 875 service personnel deployed in Iraq have been hospitalised at Selly Oak. These admissions were for reasons of illness and injury, of which the majority were not combat related.

Aircraft Carriers

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the reported veto by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the construction of new aircraft carriers at Rosyth represents government policy.

Lord Bach: There is no such veto.

Aircraft Carriers

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the planned composition of the carrier air wing for the first of the new aircraft carriers.

Lord Bach: The composition of the future carrier air wing continues to be defined. However, the future carriers will have the potential to operate a flexible complement of air assets, centred on the Joint Combat Aircraft. The exact air wing composition at any one time will depend on the scale and type of operation.

Royal Navy: Sports Funding

Baroness Noakes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bach on 27 January (Official Report, col. WA 179), what are the normal rules for Armed Forces personnel to claim an allowance for recreational travel and subsistence; and whether attendance by regular service personnel at events such as the Royal Navy ski and snowboard championships counts as part of the leave arrangements of those persons.

Lord Bach: Provision of leave and minor allowances towards sport and adventurous training is seen as one of the best and most cost-effective means of boosting morale, improving retention in the services and providing continued professional and personal development. It is a demonstration of the Royal Navy's commitment to being a good employer, promoting health, fitness, team values and work-life balance.
	The regulations for recreational travel and subsistence expenses laid down in Joint Service's Defence Council Instructions permit participants and essential officials at overseas events such as Single Service Winter Sports Championships to claim a contribution towards their attendance. Travel must be by the cheapest means and subject to the local budget holder's approval and a maximum value; strict criteria apply. They can also claim an allowance for meals in lieu of the provision of service meals.
	The use of annual leave to attend the championships or other such events is at the discretion of commanding officers. Those selected to represent their unit or command in the championship races are not normally required to take annual leave. Other attendees are expected to use annual leave, except in some circumstances where up to five days for adventurous training per year can be counted towards attendance.

Commando Engineer Regiment

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the regimental number of the planned commando engineer regiment; and when is its planned formation date.

Lord Bach: The new regiment will be called 24 Commando Engineer Regiment.
	The detailed plans for the implementation of the Future Army Structure that my right honourable friend the Secretary of State announced last year are being worked through. We envisage that the majority of changes associated with this major transformation will take place over the next five years, taking account of operational commitments and our estate strategy.

Gulf War Veterans: Pension Claims

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What legal and other costs they have incurred, year-by-year, in contesting war pension claims from veterans of the 1990–91 Gulf conflict, inclusive of the costs of staff time.

Lord Bach: Legal and other costs in contesting war pension claims are not separately identified and could only be produced at disproportionate cost.

Gulf War Illnesses

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bach on 19 January (WA 108) regarding the Ministry of Defence's reaction to the report on Scientific Progress in Understanding Gulf War Illnesses, prepared for the United States Secretary for Veteran Affairs by the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Illnesses, to which research and by which members of the committee the Minister was referring when stating on 21 December 2004 that "much of the research drawn on to formulate the recommendations was carried out by members of the committee, which raises some concern about objectivity".

Lord Bach: The research in which committee members have been involved can be identified from the reference section of the report.

Type 45 Destroyers

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will place in the Library of the House documents relating to the numbers of hulls required and type and quantity of weapon platforms on the Type 45 destroyer.

Lord Bach: On 21 July 2004 my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Defence announced a future force of eight Type 45 Destroyers, four fewer than originally planned. Six ships are currently on contract with BAE Systems.
	The Type 45's main weapon system is the principal anti-air missile system (PAAMS), which will enable the Type 45 to fulfil its primary role of anti-air warfare (AAW). PAAMS equipment carried by each ship will include a 48-cell sylver vertical launching system (VLS), Aster 15 and 30 missiles, the highly capable SAMPSON multi-function radar (MFR) for surveillance and fire control, the S1850 long-range radar (LRR) for air/surface search, and the command and control system. The Type 45 will also come equipped with:
	1 x Westland Lynx Mk8 (or 1 x Merlin Mk1)
	(capable of carrying Stingray Torpedoes and Sea Skua Missiles)
	1 x medium calibre gun—4.5 Prime ******Mk8
	2 x close range guns—30mm
	Provision will also be made in the Type 45 design to enable other weapon systems to be fitted at a later date should that be decided. These include:
	A surface-to-surface guided weapon
	2 x anti-air warfare inner layer defence—Phalanx torpedo launch systems
	Surface ship torpedo defence (SSTD)
	The Type 45 programme features regularly in the annual major projects reports, copies of which are held in the Library of the House. Further information about the programme can be found on the Defence Procurement Agency's website at www.mod.uk/dpa/ipt/type45.htm.

British Army: B Vehicles

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will place in the Library of the House documents relating to the number of B vehicles required by the British Army.

Lord Bach: The total fleet requirement (TFR) for Army B vehicles in 2004 was as follows: 13,008 Land Rovers; 2,413 drops; 7,893 cargo trucks; 934 fuel trucks; and 898 ambulances. The Army's TFR criteria are based on the sum of the following six discrete elements: the most demanding defence operational liability; the irreducible training minimum; operational stocks; permanently committed forces; repair pool; and peacetime attritional reserve.

UK and France: Defence Co-operation

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they are satisfied with the progress made so far in defence co-operation between the United Kingdom and France under the 1998 St Malo Agreement.

Lord Bach: The 1998 St Malo text declares the intentions of the UK and French heads of state to unite in their efforts to enable the European Union to play a full role on the international stage. It concentrates particularly on what is now known as European Security and Defence Policy, while recognising the need to respect countries different situations in relation to NATO.
	Since 1998 ESDP has developed considerably. It has enabled the EU to launch three peacekeeping operations: in the Democratic Republic of Congo (2003); Macedonia (2003); and Bosnia (launched in December 2004). The current Bosnia operation took over from NATO's SFOR and is proving the efficacy of the Berlin Plus arrangements agreed in 2003 for EU access to NATO assets.
	Other successes include the establishment of the European Defence Agency in 2004 to drive forward capability development and improve defence/industrial co-operation; the continuing development of a capacity for military and joint civil/military planning, based on agreed consultation arrangements with NATO; and the establishment of initial operating capability for the rapid-response Battlegroups initiative, with full operating capability expected in 2007.
	The UK and France have collaborated closely throughout. For example, the UK and France jointly proposed the Battlegroups initiative, and the December 2004 council agreement on planning capabilities was based on a UK-France-Germany proposal.
	The Government are therefore fully satisfied with progress to date. They will continue to play a leading role in further progress.

Asian Tsunami

Baroness Cumberlege: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bach on 2 February (WA 46), why they have not sent any unit from the Royal Engineers to Sri Lanka to aid the re-building of infrastructure damaged by the tsunami.

Lord Bach: Although early analysis identified a number of tasks appropriate for the Royal Engineers in the tsunami disaster area the Government of Sri Lanka reacted sufficiently quickly that, in the event, the requirement for engineer support had diminished to the extent that no external engineer support beyond a limited number of technical experts (provided through non-governmental organisations (NGOs)) was required.

Blasphemy

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the offence of blasphemy is compatible with the Human Rights Act 1998 and the European Convention on Human Rights.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The Human Rights Act gave further effect in the United Kingdom to rights and freedoms guaranteed under the European Convention on Human Rights. Article 10 of the convention safeguards the right to freedom of expression, but allows for limitations to be made to the right, including "for the protection of the reputation and rights of others". If a blasphemy case were to be considered in court, the court would, as in any other case, take into account the convention rights to ensure that its decision protected the balance between freedom of expression and the rights of others.

Schools: Homework Policies

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they support the decision of the headmaster of St John's School, Marlborough, Wiltshire, to abolish homework for pupils; and
	What is their view on the need for homework for school children.

Lord Filkin: The Government consider that homework is an essential part of the good education to which all our children are entitled. A good, well organised homework programme helps children and young people to develop the skills and attitudes they will need for successful, independent life-long learning. While it is for individual schools to determine their own policy on homework, the Government have issued non-statutory guidelines to help primary and secondary schools to draw up and implement effective homework policies.

Schools: Teaching of Intelligent Design

Lord Pearson of Rannoch: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Answer by the Lord Filkin on 31 January (Official Report, cols. 3–5), whether the scientific theory of intelligent design could be taught in United Kingdom schools.

Lord Filkin: In all aspects of the science curriculum, we encourage pupils to consider different ideas and beliefs, and how scientific controversies can arise from different ways of interpreting evidence. Intelligent design theory is not part of the National Curriculum. The National Curriculum for Science states that students must learn that the fossil record is evidence for evolution and how variation and selection may lead to evolution or extinction. Intelligent design theory could be discussed in schools, but only in the context of being one of a range of views on evolution that students might consider and evaluate against the evidence.

Landfill Tax

Lord Berkeley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What was the total revenue from the landfill tax in 2003–04; and how much of it, if any, is allocated to fund environmental improvements.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: Like the other environmental taxes, landfill tax was designed to be broadly revenue neutral. When the tax was introduced, employers' national insurance contributions were reduced by 0.2 per cent. Landfill tax receipts were £607 million in 2003–04. This figure is net of landfill tax credit scheme (LTCS) contributions. In 2003–04 the value of the LTCS, which helps to mitigate the effects of landfill upon local communities was £45.8 million.

UK Trade Deficit

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will consider long-term steps to eliminate the United Kingdom visible trade balance deficit.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The most relevant measure of the UK trade deficit is not the absolute figure, but the deficit as a percentage of GDP. The UK trade deficit was 2.9 per cent of GDP in 2003, below the 4.1 per cent of GDP seen in 1989. The current account deficit was 1.7 per cent of GDP in the same period, less than half the peak of 5.1 per cent of GDP in 1989. The Government are committed to free trade and fighting trade protectionism and have put in place a range of measures aimed at boosting productivity and competitiveness. This is the best way to ensure that the UK economy is equipped to meet the challenges and exploit the opportunities of the global economy.

Millennium Development Goals

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether adequate progress is being made in fulfilling the 2002 monetary commitments for industrialised countries in the run-up to the United Nations millennium summit in September 2005.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: At the G7 meeting in London on the 4–5 February, Finance Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to help developing countries achieve the millennium development goals by 2015. They acknowledged the efforts of all donors whose official development assistance contributions exceed, reach or are increasing towards the Monterrey targets. The UK believes that in addition to the commitments reached at Monterrey, substantial additional resources will be needed to meet the millennium development goals and for this reason has proposed the International Finance Facility.

UK Infrastructure

Lord Tebbit: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they are satisfied that the current capital stock of housing, roads and other transport infrastructure, hospitals, schools and environment services is adequate for the present and projected population of the United Kingdom.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The Government are addressing the legacy of under-investment in the UK's infrastructure by reforming the public sector spending framework to ensure prioritisation of investment, and by providing for increased capital spending. Published fiscal projections assume that public sector net investment will increase from 2 per cent of gross domestic product in 2005–06 to 2.25 per cent by 2007–08, and will remain at this level in 2008–09 and 2009–10.
	To reinforce the need for investment in public assets to be effectively planned, delivered and managed, the Government are taking forward the recommendations of Sir Michael Lyons in his report Toward Better Management of Public Sector Assets published on 2 December 2004.

Banking Code

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will consider the case for the additional regulation concerning the treatment of private customers by United Kingdom retail banks.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: Almost all banks, building societies and credit card companies dealing with personal customers in the UK are signatories to the banking code. This sets standards of good banking practice for financial institutions to follow when dealing with their customers.
	The Government believe that self-regulation, such as the banking code, can play a vital role in protecting consumers—and can do so in a way that is flexible and reduces the burden on business. The Government support the banking code, which is enforced by the Banking Code Standards Board and is subject to regular independent reviews to ensure that it continues properly to balance the needs of consumers and of industry.

Benefits Take-up

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What figures or estimates they have of the total amount in state benefits that went unclaimed by disabled people entitled to them in the latest year for which figures are available.

Baroness Hollis of Heigham: The requested information is not available.

Benefits Take-up

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What figures or estimates they have of the total sum in social security benefits that went unclaimed by those entitled to them in the latest years for which figures are available.

Baroness Hollis of Heigham: Estimates of the total amount of the main income-related benefits—income support, minimum income guarantee, housing benefit, council tax benefit and income-based jobseeker's allowance—that went unclaimed in 2002–03, the latest year for which information is available, can be found in the department's report entitled, Income Related Benefits Estimates of Take-Up in 2002–03. Copies of the publication are available in the Library. Information is not available on any other benefits.

Government Departments: 0870 Telephone Numbers

The Earl of Northesk: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether any government advice exists informing government departments or agencies as to the use of 0870 telephone numbers; and, if so, what that advice is.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The Central Office of Information issues advice to government departments about the use of 0870 numbers. It recommends against their use, owing to the rising cost of dialling a 0870 number compared with dialling a geographic number.

Government Departments: 0870 Telephone Numbers

The Earl of Northesk: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Sainsbury of Turville on 11 January (WA 55), how many 0870 telephone numbers were being operated by the Department of Trade and Industry, or by contractors on its behalf, on 10 January.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: No list is held centrally within the department of the use of 0870 numbers but the Department of Trade and Industry, or its contractors, operated at least six 0870 telephone numbers on the 10 January. Three were operated for the DTI Publications Orderline, one for the Benchmark Index Helpline, one for the UK Information Society Technology Helpline and additionally one for the FP6UK information point.

Droit de Suite

Lord Freyberg: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Sainsbury of Turville on 19 October 2004 (WA 78), when they plan to issue a formal consultation document and a draft statutory instrument to prepare for the introduction of Droit de Suite on 1 January 2006; and whether, following consultation, a notice on the Patent Office's website will be the only means used to inform artists and art dealers and other interested parties of the change in legislation.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The Government plan to issue the consultation document and draft statutory instrument within the next few days.
	A variety of means will be used to inform interested parties about the final details of implementation. The Patent Office will continue to work closely with the British Art Market Federation and the Design and Artists Copyright Society and will co-ordinate information for their constituent members and others with them.

UN Convention for the Elimination of Discrimination against Women

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their estimate of the public expenditure that is likely to be incurred during the next two years as a result of their acceptance of the individual right of petition under the United Nations Convention for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The UK Government are confident that their legislation on sex discrimination and wider provisions on gender equality broadly cover the rights and freedoms within the United Nations Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). The UK's fifth periodic CEDAW report (June 2003) illustrates the various measures the UK Government have taken to implement CEDAW. Following this, the UK Government do not expect a significant amount of public expenditure to be incurred during the next two years as a result of their acceptance of the individual right of petition under the United Nations Convention for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women.

UN Convention for the Elimination of Discrimination against Women

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their estimate of the total number of complaints that are likely to be incurred during the next two years as a result of their acceptance of the individual right of petition under the United Nations Convention for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The UK Government are confident that their legislation on sex discrimination and wider provisions on gender equality broadly cover the rights and freedoms within the United Nations Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). Following this, and from the experience of other countries (during the period 2000–02 no cases were brought in New Zealand), the Government do not expect a significant number of complaints to be incurred during the next two years as a result of accepting the individual right of petition under the United Nations Convention for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women.

UN Convention for the Elimination of Discrimination against Women

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the likely practical benefits for women in the United Kingdom resulting from the acceptance of the individual right of petition under the United Nations Convention for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: Following the Government's decision to sign the optional protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), women in the UK may now petition the UN committee on issues either not covered by domestic legislation or when they have no other international right of appeal available. The practical benefits resulting from the acceptance of the individual right of petition will be monitored on a case by case basis.

Applied Construction Research

Baroness Perry of Southwark: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Sainsbury of Turville on 26 January (WA 160–161), how much they have spent on (a) research underpinning building regulations; and (b) other applied construction research, in each year since 1997–98.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: As stated in my previous Written Answer there are no consolidated figures available on applied construction research spend across the Government. The DTI is currently the largest sponsor of applied research
	(a) Research underpinning Building Regulations:
	
		DETR
		
			  £ millions 
			 1997–98 £6.5 million 
			 1998–99 £5.8 million 
			 1999–00 £5 million 
			 2000–01 £3 million 
		
	
	
		ODPM
		
			  £ millions 
			 2001–02 £3.2 million 
			 2002–03 £4.6 million 
			 2003–04 £5.7 million 
		
	
	(b) Other applied construction research:
	
		DETR
		
			  £ millions 
			 1997–98 £17.5 million 
			 1998–99 £16.2 million 
			 1999–00 £ 17 million 
			 2000–01 £18.1 million 
		
	
	
		DTI
		
			  £ millions 
			 2001–02 £16.2 million 
			 2002–03 £14.8 million 
			 2003–04 £10.0 million

Fairclough Report

Baroness Perry of Southwark: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Sainsbury of Turville on 27 January (WA 183), what practical steps they have taken to facilitate the development of a strategic vision for the construction industry, particularly with regard to Sir John Fairclough's recommendation that they provide pump-priming funding to facilitate the creation of a prioritised agenda for construction research and development.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The DTI has provided significant resources (around £480,000 to date) to facilitate the industry's development of nCRISP (the new Construction Research and Innovation Strategy Panel) formulated in 2002 under the aegis of the Strategic Forum for Construction.
	nCRISP was a direct response to Sir John's recommendation for a revitalised panel able strategically to review and plan strategic research and development objectives.

MRSA

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many (a) babies under 18 months, and (b) pre-school infants have (i) contracted and (ii) died from methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in each of the past 10 years.

Lord Warner: The Health Protection Agency's voluntary reporting system is the only national dataset providing information by age on cases of methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bloodstream infections. The HPA has provided data for all children aged under five years, as in the following table, but cannot provide data by the age grouping requested (under 18 months).
	
		Number of reports of MRSA blood isolates in England in children aged under five years
		
			 Year Number of reports 
			 1995 7 
			 1996 27 
			 1997 23 
			 1998 31 
			 1999 49 
			 2000 50 
			 2001 56 
			 2002 59 
			 2003 71 
			 2004* 52 
		
	
	* provisional
	Data source:
	Health Protection Agency
	Data on deaths from MRSA are not available from routine mortality statistics. The only available information is from a study by the Office for National Statistics which reviewed death certificates from 1993–2002. The data from this study for children aged under five are shown in the following table but were not available in respect of the age group of children under 18 months.
	
		Number of death certificates mentioning MRSA as a contributory factor or underlying cause for children aged under five years
		
			 Year Number of reports 
			 1993 0 
			 1994 0 
			 1995 0 
			 1996 0 
			 1997 1 
			 1998 4 
			 1999 1 
			 2000 0 
			 2001 1 
			 2002 1 
		
	
	Data supplied by Office for National Statistics

Bovine Tuberculosis

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much compensation has been paid in each of the past five years in respect of animals slaughtered as a result of bovine tuberculosis; and what sums they estimate to be outstanding by way of compensation, valuation fees and other associated costs.

Lord Whitty: The amount spent on bovine TB compensation for the past five financial years, and the forecast for 2004–05, is given in the table below:
	
		
			 Financial year Expenditure in £ million 
			 1999–2000 5.3 
			 2000–01 6.6 
			 2001–02 9.2 
			 2002–03 31.9 
			 2003–04 34.4 
			 2004–05 36.2 (forecast) 
		
	
	We are not aware that any moneys remain outstanding in respect of compensation for animals slaughtered, or other costs.

Bovine Tuberculosis

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many cattle have been slaughtered because of bovine tuberculosis during each of the past five years; and how many of these were dairy cattle.

Lord Whitty: The number of cattle slaughtered under TB control measures in Great Britain between 2000 and 2004 is detailed in the table below. Data on dairy cattle are available only at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			 Year  2 Cattle slaughtered 
			   
			 2000 8,352 
			 2001  3  6,258 
			 2002  3 22,957 
			 2003 23,168 
			 2004 22,490 
		
	
	Notes:
	1 TB reactors plus direct contacts.
	2 2000–03 data downloaded from the State Veterinary Service database on 18 to 19 January 2005. 2004 data downloaded from State Veterinary Service database on 8 February 2005. All data provisional and subject to change as more data becomes available.
	3 In 2001, the TB testing and control programme was largely suspended due to the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak. When testing resumed in 2002, resources were concentrated on herds with overdue TB tests which would have had a longer period in which to contract the disease. Also the proportion of high-risk herds tested immediately after the FMD outbreak was greater than that prior to the outbreak. As a result, data for 2001 and 2002 are not comparable with other years.

Traffic Regulation Orders

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many traffic regulation orders have been made in the past five years relating to problems with vehicular use on byways open to all traffic.

Lord Whitty: Local highway authorities are responsible for making traffic regulation orders in England. This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.

Aggregates Levy

Lord Berkeley: asked Her Majesty's Government: How much money is raised in the aggregates levy; how much is spent on the aggregate levy sustainability fund; and for what purposes. [HL1207]

Lord Whitty: In the financial year 2003 to 2004 aggregates levy receipts for the UK were £339 million.
	In the same financial year Defra's Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund spent £19.5 million in England on the following objectives:
	Minimising the demand for primary aggregates;
	Promoting environmentally friendly extraction and transport; and
	Reducing the local effects of aggregate extraction.
	In Wales £1.35 million was spent on the following objectives:
	Providing limited compensation to help mineral planning authorities revoke or amend existing minerals permissions; and
	Promoting the use of alternative materials.
	In Scotland, the Scottish Executive administering its aggregates levy funding through the Sustainable Action Fund, spent £3.2 million. The aggregates levy funding which Scotland receives was used to support a range of sustainable development projects and community environmental renewal projects.
	Northern Ireland was allocated £972,000 and this allocation forms part of the totality of public expenditure moneys available for public services in Northern Ireland. It has not been ring-fenced for similar uses to the fund as in the other parts of the UK.
	In recognition of the adverse economic effects of the tax peculiar to Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland quarry industry was granted a partial derogation from the aggregates levy. Since then, the Department of Environment has developed and implemented the Aggregates Levy Credit Scheme (ALCS) for the Northern Ireland aggregates industry acting as agents for Her Majesty's Customs and Excise.
	The ALCS enables operators to obtain tax relief at a rate of 80 per cent of the full rate of the levy in return for compliance with a code of practice which addresses 15 areas of environmental risk. Many of the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund's objectives will be met through the operation of the ALCS. Policy development on the use of Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund resources will concentrate on objectives of the fund not addressed through the ALCS.

Agricultural Exports

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will make representations to the European Union to reduce agricultural export subsidies in 2005–06 and subsequent years by an amount not less than, and if possible more than, any reductions agreed by the United States Government.

Lord Whitty: The European Union has already reduced export subsidies by some 70 per cent over the past 12 years. As part of the World Trade Organisation's Doha Development Agenda we have agreed to negotiate an end date for the elimination of all forms of export subsidies, in parallel with the US and the other WTO member countries.

Lake District National Park Authority

Lord Clark of Windermere: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much they gave to the Lake District National Park Authority for each of the last 10 years; and what is the sum proposed for 2005–06.

Lord Whitty: The annual national park grant allocation for the Lake District National Park Authority since 1997–98 is as follows:
	
		
			  £ million 
			 1997–98 3.78 
			 1998–99 3.78 
			 1999–2000 4.08 
			 2000–01 4.18 
			 2001–02 4.64 
			 2002–03 5.46 
			 2003–04 5.91 
			 2004–05 6.05 
			 2005–06 6.29

Countryside Quality Counts Project

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many people were employed on the Countryside Quality Counts project in each of the years May 2002 to April 2003 and May 2003 to April 2004; how many are employed now; how much the project has cost to date; how much is budgeted for 2004–05; and how long the project is planned to run.

Lord Whitty: Countryside Quality Counts (CQC) is a joint project between the Countryside Agency (which leads and provides the majority of the funding), English Nature, English Heritage and Defra.
	The total spend and commitment to date is £500,555. The table below shows expenditure by year:
	
		
			  Total spend 
			 May 2002–April 2003 £175,862 
			 May 2003–April 2004 £183,693 
			 May 2004–April 2005 (budget) £141,000 
			 May 2005–end of project (budget) £200,000 
		
	
	The project is planned to run until summer 2006 and will end with the publication of the second assessment of the countryside quality indicator.
	Staff numbers are not formally recorded on an annual basis. However, the table below shows the number of staff involved and their average input per month during the project:
	
		
			 Organisation Number of persons Days/month 
			 The Countryside Agency 2 24 
			 English Nature 1 3 
			 English Heritage 2 5 
			 Defra 2 2 
			 Rural Development Service 1 2 
			 Office of the Deputy Prime Minister 1 1 
			 Forestry Commission 1 1 
			 Total 10 38 
		
	
	Total officer time over the 44 months of the project to date is 1,672 days.

Food and Local Agricultural Information Resource

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many people have been employed in the Food and Local Agricultural Information Resource in each year since its inception; how much the resource has cost to date; and how long it is planned to continue.

Lord Whitty: FLAIR was a project led by the Foundation for Local Food Initiatives. It was part-funded by the Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, and then Defra, through the Environmental Action Fund. The EAF grant contribution to the project amounted to £42,300 over three years. The project's purpose was to raise the profile of the local food sector; develop a strategic understanding of the sector among partner organisations; and to enable networking and information sharing between projects and initiatives.
	No Defra staff were involved in delivery of the project, which concluded in 2003.

Countryside: Access Regulations

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the maximum length of time intended by the phrase "as soon as practicable" in Regulations 23(2), 35(2) and 36(2) of the Access to the Countryside (Means of Access, Appeals) (England) Regulations 2004; and why the phrase is not used in Regulation 24.

Lord Whitty: The phrase "as soon as practicable" in these regulations takes its ordinary English meaning and no fixed length of time is intended by its use. I am grateful to the noble Baroness for pointing out that the phrase does not appear in Regulation 24. Although we have no doubt that inspectors will nevertheless notify their decisions on appeal under that regulation promptly, we will address the point when we have an opportunity to review the regulations.

Defra: Legislation

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which legislative provisions passed in the past 30 years and for which the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is now responsible, have not yet been brought into force, broken down by year of enactment.

Lord Whitty: A response to this question would call for a disproportionate allocation or diversion of resources

Motorway Accidents

Lord Blackwell: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What information is available on the number and proportion of motorway accidents which involve a continental, left-hand drive lorry.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The information requested is not available.

Railways: Salisbury to Yeovil Line

Lord Patten: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Davies of Oldham on 1 February (WA 36), what is the annual cost to the regional economy of the south-west of having a single rather than double-track railway between Salisbury and Exeter.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The Strategic Rail Authority advises that no analysis has been undertaken of the effect on the local economy of the single-track railway line between Salisbury and Exeter.

EU: Draft Ports Service Directive

Lord Berkeley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they support the European Union's second draft Ports Service Directive; and, if not, what changes they wish to be made.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The UK Government support market liberalisation in the ports sector but believe that significant improvements are needed in many aspects of this draft proposal. We are currently consulting with the UK ports sector and other major stakeholders on the potential impact of this proposal before finalising a negotiating position.